As an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, obtaining a Green Card is one of the most direct and straightforward paths to permanent residency in the U.S. As an immediate family member, USCIS provides a streamlined process without visa caps or waitlists, making it faster and less complex than other family-based categories.
The U.S. government defines immediate relatives as close family members of U.S. citizens, specifically:
Unlike other family-based green card categories, there is no limit on the number of Green Cards issued annually to immediate relatives, so you won't face long wait times due to visa caps.
Applying for a Green Card as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen involves several important steps:
The U.S. citizen must first file a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) with USCIS. This form establishes the familial relationship between the U.S. citizen and their immediate relative.
Obtaining a green card as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen offers several advantages:
For spouses seeking a marriage-based green card, additional steps are involved to verify the legitimacy of the marriage and that the couple qualify for marriage green card. USCIS will request evidence such as joint bank accounts, photos, and shared leases to confirm that the marriage is genuine. To obtain a green card by marriage where the marriage is less than two years old, the foreign spouse will receive a conditional Green Card. To remove this condition, both spouses must jointly file Form I-751 within two years.
A common question is, " Can a US citizen give me his Green Card?" While a U.S. citizen cannot directly "give" a Green Card, they can sponsor an immediate family member, such as a spouse, through processes like green card via marriage or green card through marriage. This involves filing the proper forms and meeting all eligibility requirements.
For spouses specifically, the green card for spouse process ensures that, if married to a U.S. citizen, you can pursue permanent residency through a green card by marriage. The marriage-based Green Card route is a reliable and often fast way to establish legal residency in the U.S.
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